We all think coral is beautiful, colorful, even a but mysterious, but do we really know that much about it? Scientists do and here are some first steps toward getting your degree.
What is coral?
A coral reef is one of the most complex ecosystems known to science, home to more than 4,000 species of fish, 700 species of coral and thousands of other plants and animals.
It is probably equal to or even more diverse than tropical rainforests. They've been called the "Cathedrals of the Sea" and are the largest structures made by animals on this planet. Coral reefs are found in over 100 countries, growing best in waters with temperatures ranging from 70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Rock or plant?
Coral might look like rock or plants but they are huge limestone structures made up of tiny, fragile animals called coral polyps. These organisms build massive, intricate, and beautiful physical structures.
It's getting hot in here!
Corals live very close to the highest temperatures they can tolerate, and only need a small increase in temperature to kill them. Scientists try to find how global climate change, particularly the warmth of the ocean, will affect the ability of corals to replace themselves. They also study whether seawater temperature is causing severe genetic defects.
Two is better than one
Coral is both plant and animal existing in one organism. The coral needs the algae living within it to provide energy and recycle nutrients. The algae needs the coral for shelter.
Star Trek-like study
"Pam," a $13,000 Pulse Amplitude Modulator, is a powerful probe that harmlessly zaps corals with bright light. Scientists are able to study how well the corals are manufacturing their own energy. The Pam measures how efficiently their symbiotic algae turn light into food. It's a simple and accurate measure of their health, and a way of determining how much stress the reef is under.
Want more?
Each year at one certain moment in time when the Moon is properly aligned, the corals spawn. Some release eggs and sperm, while others release tiny larvae. The tiny larvae settle on the ocean bottom, metamorphosing into a polyp, or a kind of bud. Layer by layer, the polyp builds a new level of coral rock.
Grow, grow, grow
Corals grow depending on the temperature of the water they're in, the abundance of food, turbulence and salinity. Massive corals add just up to an inch to their length each year.
